Teacher dress code not needed: union

A DRESS code for Tasmanian teachers was not warranted as few would be inappropriately dressed, according to the state branch of the Australian Education Union.

President Terry Polglase said the dress code policy introduced by the New South Wales government yesterday was probably an attempt to get tough, when very few teachers may have broken the rules anyway.

He said the issue was not a high priority in Tasmania.

"If there was an issue in a school, I would expect anyone in that school community to see the school principal or association, so that it could be discussed," Mr Polglase said.

"That teachers do wear different attire dependent on their subject though, was understandable.

"I wouldn't expect an art teacher, who is trying to encourage creativity, to wear a collar and tie."

New South Wales' teachers have been banned from wearing T-shirts, thongs, ripped jeans, strapless dresses and midriff tops.

Male teachers need to wear collars and females should not wear revealing or suggestive clothing.

Mr Polglase said he did not agree with T-shirts or T-shirts emblazoned with a logo or alcohol beverage should ever be worn in a school and staff could instead wear the school's polo top.

Tasmanian Education Department secretary Colin Pettit said the policy in place states that "employees must ensure their personal appearance and presentation is clean, tidy and appropriate for their work role".